EP1036577A2 - Stationäres Übungsgerät für flexibel koordinierte Bewegungen - Google Patents

Stationäres Übungsgerät für flexibel koordinierte Bewegungen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1036577A2
EP1036577A2 EP00301990A EP00301990A EP1036577A2 EP 1036577 A2 EP1036577 A2 EP 1036577A2 EP 00301990 A EP00301990 A EP 00301990A EP 00301990 A EP00301990 A EP 00301990A EP 1036577 A2 EP1036577 A2 EP 1036577A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foot
swing arm
links
exercise device
flexibly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP00301990A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1036577B1 (de
EP1036577A3 (de
Inventor
James S. Birrell
William W. Potts
Thomas Moran
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Precor Inc
Original Assignee
Precor Inc
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/271,733 external-priority patent/US6165107A/en
Application filed by Precor Inc, Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Precor Inc
Publication of EP1036577A2 publication Critical patent/EP1036577A2/de
Publication of EP1036577A3 publication Critical patent/EP1036577A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1036577B1 publication Critical patent/EP1036577B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/0002—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements involving an exercising of arms
    • A63B22/001—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements involving an exercising of arms by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
    • A63B22/0664—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing an elliptic movement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
    • A63B22/0664—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing an elliptic movement
    • A63B2022/067—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing an elliptic movement with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/22—Resisting devices with rotary bodies
    • A63B21/225—Resisting devices with rotary bodies with flywheels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more specifically to a stationary exercise device that resiliently links upper and lower body movements in flexibly coordinated motion.
  • Treadmills are still a further type of exercise device in the prior art, and allow natural walking or jogging motions in a relatively limited area.
  • a drawback of the treadmill is that significant jarring of the hip, knee, ankle and other joints of the body may occur through use of this device.
  • Exercise systems create elliptical motion, as referred to herein, when the path traveled by a user's feet while using the exercise system follows an arcuate or ellipse-shaped path of travel.
  • Elliptical motion is much more natural and analogous to running, jogging, walking, etc., than the linear-type, back and forth motions produced by some prior art exercise equipment.
  • Exercise devices are also desirable which provide the additional advantage of being configured to provide arm and shoulder motions, as well as arcuate foot motions.
  • Prior art devices utilizing arm and shoulder motions that are linked to foot motions incorporate forced coordinated motion, where the motions of a user's feet are linked to the motions of a user's arms and shoulders, so that one's feet are forced to move in response to the movement of one's arms and shoulders (in substantially an equal and opposite amount), and vice versa.
  • Still other prior art devices limit the range of motions utilized by their systems, which can result in detrimental effects on a user's muscle flexibility and coordination due to the continued reliance on the small range motion produced by these exercise devices, as opposed to the wide range of natural motions that are experienced in activities such as running, walking, etc.
  • Exercise devices are desired that provides for a smooth stepping-running motion that prevents trauma to joints and muscles, while exercising a user's legs more fully than cycling or skiing devices.
  • an exercise device that provides for smooth natural action, exercises a relatively large number of muscles through a large range of elliptical motion, employs arm, shoulder, and rotational movement, and allows for flexibly coordinated motion between the upper and lower body, i.e., motion that is substantially coordinated but still allows for some independent or uncoordinated motion between the movement of the user's feet.
  • the present invention is directed towards an exercise device that allows flexibly coordinated motion to be produced between a user's hands and feet.
  • the exercise device utilizes a frame to which a transverse axis is mounted.
  • Coupling mechanisms are configured to operatively associate with foot links for associating the foot links to the transverse axis such that the foot support portion of each foot link travels in a reciprocal path as the transverse axis rotates.
  • Each foot link includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a foot support portion therebetween.
  • Swing arm mechanisms which include a gripping portion, a pivot point, and a coupling region, operatively associate the coupling region of each swing arm mechanism with the respective first end portion of each foot link.
  • Flexibly coordinating members substantially and resiliently link the movement of the foot support portions to the movement of the hand gripping portions of the swing arm mechanisms, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot support portions and the hand gripping portions.
  • the coupling mechanisms comprise rotational crank arms that pivotally associate the transverse axis with the foot links.
  • the coupling mechanisms rotate about the transverse axis.
  • the exercise device may further include a flywheel disposed for rotation in operative connection with the transverse axis.
  • a resistance system configured in operatively associated with the transverse axis, may also be included in the device to thereby increase the level of exercise required from the user.
  • the swing arm mechanisms themselves act as the flexibly coordinating members.
  • a substantial portion of the swing arm mechanisms are constructed of a material that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to substantially link the movement of the foot links to the movement of the hand gripping portions of the swing arm mechanisms.
  • the swing arm mechanisms include spring link members that act as the flexibly coordinating members.
  • the spring link members of the swing arm mechanisms are located substantially adjacent to the pivot points of the swing arm mechanisms.
  • the swing arm mechanisms include elastomeric torsion members that are located substantially adjacent to the pivot points, and which act as the flexibly coordinating members that flexibility connect the gripping portions to the coupling regions of the swing arm mechanisms.
  • the flexibly coordinating members operatively connect the second end portion of the foot links with coupling region of the swing arm mechanisms.
  • the flexibly coordinating members comprise spring members. Elastomeric members may also be employed instead of spring members to operatively associate the second end portion of the foot links with coupling region of the swing arm mechanisms, and thereby act as the flexibly coordinating members.
  • the exercise device comprises at least one flexibly coordinating mechanism in operative association between the foot links that substantially relates the movement of the first and second foot links to each other, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot links.
  • Flexibly coordinating mechanisms may be incorporated between each foot link and its respective coupling mechanism.
  • flexibly coordinating mechanisms may be incorporated between each coupling mechanism and the transverse axis.
  • the flexibly coordinating mechanism may be configured as a flexibly coordinated, bifurcated transverse axis which substantially relates the movement of the first and second foot links to each other, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot links.
  • An exercise device constructed in accordance with the present invention implements flexibly coordinated motion between a user's hands and feet to simulate natural walking and running motions and exercise a large number of muscles. Increased muscle flexibility and coordination can also be derived through the smooth, natural, flexibly coordinated motion of the present invention, as opposed to the unforgiving forced coordinated motions produced between a user's hands and feet in some prior art exercise equipment. This device provides the above stated benefits without imparting the shock to the user's body joints in the manner of prior art exercise treadmills.
  • FIGURE 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • the exerciser 10 includes a frame 12 which has a forward upright member 20 that extends upward from a substantially horizontal, longitudinal central member 14 of the frame 12.
  • Towards the rear region of the frame 12 are upwardly extending left and right axle mounts 30 and 32.
  • the axle mounts 30 and 32 support a transverse axle 36 which is preferably operatively connected to a flywheel 38.
  • the left and right ends of the transverse axle 36 rotatably engage left and right crank arm assemblies 50 and 52.
  • Left and right foot links 60 and 70 have rearward ends 64 and 74 which engage the crank arm assemblies 50 and 52 such that the rear ends of the foot links travel in an arcuate reciprocal path as the transverse axle 36 rotates.
  • the foot links 60 and 70 have forward ends 62 and 72 that are operatively connected to the coupling regions 86 and 96 of left and right swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90, respectively.
  • the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 are rotatably connected to the forward upright member 20 of the frame 12 at their respective pivot points 84 and 94.
  • the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 further contain left and right hand-gripping portions 82 and 92, and the foot links 60 and 70 further contain left and right foot support portions 66 and 76.
  • Flexibly coordinating members 100 are incorporated in the linkage of the exercise device 10 between each respective hand-gripping portion 82 and 92, and foot support portion 66 and 76.
  • the flexibly coordinating members substantially and resiliently link the movement of the foot support portions 66 and 76 to the movement of the hand-gripping portions 82 and 92, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot support portions and the hand-gripping portions.
  • the frame 12 includes a longitudinal central member 14 that terminates at front and rear, relatively shorter transverse members 16 and 18.
  • the frame 12 is composed of rectangular tubular members that are relatively light in weight but that provide substantial strength and rigidity.
  • end caps (not shown) are preferably securably connected to the open ends of the front and rear transverse members 16 and 18 to close off ends of these members.
  • the frame 12 may also be composed of solid members that provide the requisite strength and rigidity while maintaining a relatively light weight.
  • the forward upright member 20 extends upwardly from the forward region of the floor engaging frame 12.
  • the upright member 20 is substantially vertical.
  • the forward member 20 may be configured at an upward angulation without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the forward upright member 20 is also composed of a rectangular tubular material, as described above.
  • a view screen 24 is securably connected to the upper end of the forward upright member 20, at an orientation easily viewable to a user of the device 10. Instructions for operating the device may be located on the view screen 24 in an exemplary embodiment.
  • electronic devices may be incorporated into the exerciser device 10 such as timers, odometers, speedometers, heart rate indicators, energy expenditure recorders, etc. This information may be routed to the view screen 24 for ease of viewing for a user of the device 10.
  • the axle mounts 30 and 32 are located toward the rear of the frame 12.
  • the axle mounts 30 and 32 are attached to the frame 12 and extend approximately upward from the substantially horizontal, longitudinal central member 14.
  • the transverse axle 36 is rotatably housed in the upper region of the axle mounts 30 and 32. These regions of the axle mounts 30 and 32 which house the ends of the transverse axle 36 contain low friction engaging systems (not shown), such as bearing systems, to allow the transverse axle 36 to rotate with little resistance within the housing in the axle mounts 30 and 32.
  • the transverse axle 36 connects to a flywheel 38 contained within a center housing 40.
  • flywheels are known in the art.
  • the transverse axle 36 may not incorporate a flywheel 38 and central housing 40, without departing from the scope of the present invention (provided that the foot links 60 and 70 are coupled to one another in some fashion, albeit directly or indirectly).
  • the transverse axle 36 may also be operatively connected to a capstan-type drive (not shown) in some embodiments, to allow the axle 36 to rotate in only one direction.
  • the elliptical motion exerciser 10 further contains longitudinally extending left and right foot links 60 and 70.
  • the foot links are illustrated in the shape of elongated, relatively thin beams.
  • the foot links 60 and 70 are of a width substantial enough to accommodate the width of an individual user's foot.
  • the foot links 60 and 70 are aligned in approximately parallel relationship with the longitudinal central member 14 of the frame 12.
  • the foot support portions 66 and 76 are positioned near the center to front region of the foot links 60 and 70, and comprise engagement pads, to assist in providing stable foot placement locations for an individual user.
  • the foot support portions 66 and 76 are configured to form toe straps and/or toe and heel cups (not shown) which aid in forward motion recovery at the end of a rearward or forward striding motion of a user's foot.
  • crank arm assemblies 50 and 52 connect the rearward ends 64 and 74 of the foot links 60 and 70 to the ends of the transverse axle 36.
  • the crank arm assemblies 50 and 52 are comprised of only a single left and right crank arm member.
  • the proximal ends of the crank arm members 50 and 52 engage the ends of the transverse axle 36, while the distal ends of the crank arm members 50 and 52 are rotatably connected to the rearward ends 64 and 74 of the foot links 60 and 70.
  • the rearward ends 64 and 74 of the foot links 60 and 70 rotate about the transverse axle 36 as the axle rotates, and the foot support portions 66 and 76 of the foot links 60 and 70 travel in a reciprocal, elliptical path of motion.
  • the elliptical path of the foot support portions 66 and 76, and indeed the motion of the entire foot links 60 and 70 can be altered into any number of configurations by changing the composition or dimensions of the crank arm assemblies 50 and 52.
  • the length of the single left and right crank arms shown in FIGURE 1 can be lengthened or shortened to modify the path of the foot links 60 and 70.
  • the left and right crank arm assemblies 50 and 52 can be composed of multiple crank arm member linkages to alter the path of travel of the foot links 60 and 70 in a wide variety of aspects.
  • the rearward end 64 and 74 of the foot links 60 and 70 are rotationally connected directly to a flywheel which functions to couple the foot links 60 and 70 to a pivot axis (equivalent to the axis of the transverse axle 36) and permit rotation thereabout.
  • the flywheel is preferably a double flywheel that supports rotation about a central axis. It will also be appreciated that various mechanical arrangements may be employed to embody the crank arm assemblies 50 and 52 in operatively connecting the foot links 60 and 70 to each other.
  • Such variations may include a larger flywheel, a smaller flywheel or may eliminate the flywheel entirely and incorporate a cam system with connecting linkage, provided that the foot links are coupled so as to permit an arcuate path of travel by the foot support portions 66 and 76 of the foot links 60 and 70.
  • each swing arm mechanism 80 and 90 contains a hand-gripping portion 82 and 92, a pivot point 84 and 94, and a coupling region 86 and 96.
  • the coupling regions 86 and 96 of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 rotatably connect to the forward ends 62 and 72 of the foot links 60 and 70.
  • the pivot points 84 and 94 rotatably secure the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 to the forward upright member 20 of the frame 12.
  • the hand-gripping portions 82 and 92 of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 are grasped by the hands of the individual user, and allow upper body arm and shoulder exercising motions to be incorporated in conjunction with the reciprocal, elliptical exercising motion traced out by the user's feet.
  • the linking of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 to the foot links 60 and 70, and the rotational securement of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 to the forward upright member 20 of the frame 12 at the pivot points 84 and 94 results in generally rearward, arcuate motion of a hand-gripping portion being correspondingly linking to generally forward, arcuate motion of a respective foot support portion, and vice versa.
  • the exercise device 10 of the present invention incorporates flexible coordinating members 100.
  • These flexibly coordinating members 100 are incorporated in the linkage between the left hand-gripping portion 82 and foot support portion 66 and the linkage between the right hand-gripping portion 92 and foot support portion 76.
  • the flexibly coordinating members 100 are sufficiently flexible and resilient to substantially link the movement of the foot support portions 66 and 76 to the movement of the hand-gripping portions 82 and 92, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot support portions 66 and 76, and the hand-gripping portions 82 and 92.
  • This flexibly coordinated linkage between a user's upper body and lower body provides significant advantages over unforgivingly forcing exact coordination between a user's upper and lower body.
  • a substantial portion of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 themselves comprise the flexibly coordinating members 100, by being constructed of a material that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to substantially (but not totally) link the movement of the foot support portions 66 and 76 to the movement of the hand-gripping portions 82 and 92 (i.e., permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot support portions and the hand-gripping portions).
  • substantially the entire upper and lower portions of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 are flexors (e.g., fiberglass/graphite rods or members).
  • the user stands on the foot support portions 66 and 76 and grasps the hand-gripping portions 82 and 92.
  • the user imparts a rearward stepping motion on one of the foot support portions and a forward stepping motion on the other foot support portion, thereby causing the transverse axle 36 to rotate in a clockwise direction (when viewed from the right side as shown in FIGURE 1), due to the crank arm assemblies 50 and 52 coupling the motion of the foot links 60 and 70 to the rotation of the transverse axle 36.
  • the user In conjunction with the lower body action, the user also imparts a substantially forward pushing motion on one of the hand-gripping portions and a substantially rearward pulling motion on the other hand-gripping portion Due to the rotatable connection of the coupling regions 86 and 96 of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 to the forward ends 62 and 72 of the foot links 60 and 70, and the rotational securement of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 to the forward upright member 20 of the frame 12 at their pivot points 84 and 94, each hand-gripping portion moves forward as its respective foot support portion moves rearward, and vice versa.
  • the foot links 60 and 70 are attached to the transverse axle 36 by the crank arm assemblies 50 and 52 such that one foot support portion moves substantially forward as the other foot support portion moves substantially rearward.
  • one hand-gripping portion moves forward as the other hand-gripping portion moves rearward (e.g., when the left hand-gripping portion 82 moves forward, the left foot support portion 66 moves rearward, while the right foot support portion 76 moves forward and the right hand-gripping portion 92 moves rearward). Therefore, the user can begin movement of the entire foot link and swing arm mechanism linkage by moving any foot support portion or hand-gripping portion, or preferably by moving all of them together.
  • a flexibly coordinating member 100 is incorporated between each hand-gripping portion 82 and 92 and its respective foot support portion 66 and 76 to induce flexibly coordinated motion between the hand-gripping portions and the foot support portions, such that when one of the hand-gripping portions moves rearward the flexibly coordinating member 100 forces its respective foot support portion to move forward a substantially related percentage amount, and vice versa.
  • This flexibly coordinated motion does however, allow a certain amount (depending upon the flexibility of the flexibly coordinating member 100) of uncoordinated motion between each respective hand-gripping portion and foot link.
  • the relative movement between the hand-gripping portions and the foot support portions can be varied by modifying the location of the pivot points 84 and 94 along the length of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90.
  • the flexible coordination provided by the flexibly coordinated members 100 does allow some degree of variation in the relative motion between the hand gripping portions 82 and 92 and the foot support portions 66 and 76.
  • the flexibly coordinating members comprise substantially the entire length of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90, which are constructed of a material that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to provide the above-described flexibly coordinating motion.
  • the flexibly coordinating members 100 may represent a smaller percentage of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90. Reducing the portion of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 that act as the flexibly coordinating members 100, and thus are composed of a flexible and resilient material, will likely increase the flexibility and resilience required of the material.
  • a preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include a friction break or other resistance adjustable mechanism (not shown).
  • the resistance adjustment mechanism would be associated with the flywheel 38 or the transverse axle 36 for the purpose of imposing drag on the wheel or the axle so as to increase the amount of exercise provided by the exercise device 10.
  • the resistance adjustment mechanism may be adjusted by an adjustment knob (not shown) operating through a flexible cable (not shown) upon some type of frictional pad assembly (not shown).
  • adjustment knob not shown
  • Other types of braking devices such as a magnetic brake and the like may also be similarly employed.
  • FIGURE 2 represents a partial view of another preferred embodiment exercise device 110 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • the alternate flexibly coordinated exercise device 110 partially shown in FIGURE 2 is constructed and functions similarly to the exercise device 10 shown in FIGURE 1. Accordingly, the exercise device 110 will be described only with respect to those components that differ from the components of the exercise device 10.
  • the left and right swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 each include spring link members 114 and 116 that act as the flexibly coordinating members of the device. Ideally, but not essentially, the spring link members 114 and 116 of the swing arm mechanism 80 and 90 are located substantially adjacent to the pivot points 84 and 94 (just below).
  • the spring link members 114 and 116 could be located at other positions along the length of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the degree of flexibly coordinated motion i.e., the amount of uncoordinated motion that is allowed
  • the degree of flexibly coordinated motion can be varied by selection of the size, thickness, and spring constant of the spring link members 114 and 116.
  • FIGURE 3 another preferred embodiment flexibly coordinating exercise device 120 is illustrated.
  • the exerciser 120 shown in FIGURE 3 is constructed and functions similarly to the exercise devices 10 and 110 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 respectively. Accordingly, the alternate preferred embodiment exerciser 120 will be described only with respect to those components that differ from the components of the exercise devices 10 and 110.
  • the swing arm mechanism 90 is replaced by a right swing arm assembly 136 which includes an elastomeric torsion spring 124.
  • the swing arm mechanism 80 is likewise replaced by a swing arm assembly similar to assembly 136.
  • Swing arm assembly 136 contains an upper swing arm 138, a lower swing arm 140, an upper connector collar 142, a lower connector hub 144, and a connecting elastomeric torsion spring 124.
  • the elastomeric torsion spring 124 connects the upper swing arm 138 to the lower swing arm 140 by linking the upper connector collar 142 to the lower connector hub 144 of the lower swing arm in flexibly coordinated motion.
  • the hub 144 is fixedly connected to the upper knuckle 141 of lower swing arm 140. Both the hub 144 and knuckle 141 have a central through hole for engaging over the distal end of pivot shaft 146.
  • the elastomeric torsion spring 124 is bonded to the inside diameter of collar 142 and to the outside diameter of hub 144, thereby to substantially relate the motion of the upper swing arm 138 to the motion of the lower swing arm 140 while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the upper swing arm and the lower swing arm.
  • the swing arm assembly 136 rotates about the pivot shaft 146, which is supported by upright member 20.
  • the degree of flexibly coordinated motion provided by the elastomeric torsion spring 124 i.e., the amount of uncoordinated motion that the elastomeric torsion springs allow
  • the degree of flexibly coordinated motion provided by the elastomeric torsion spring 124 can be varied by selection of the elastomeric material used to comprise the elastomeric torsion spring 124 (i.e., the flexibility and resilience of the material).
  • FIGURE 4 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention composed of a flexibly coordinated exercise device 150.
  • the exerciser 150 shown in FIGURE 4 is constructed and functions similarly to the exercise devices 10, 110, and 120 shown in FIGURES 1-3, respectively. Accordingly, the exerciser 150 will be described only with respect to those components that differ from the components of the exercise devices 10, 110, and 120.
  • left and right elastomeric members 152 and 154 connect the coupling regions 86 and 96 of the swing arm mechanisms 80 and 90 to the forward ends 62 and 72 of the foot links 60 and 70.
  • the elastomeric members 152 and 154 provide flexibly coordinated motion between the hand gripping portions 82 and 92 and the foot support portions 66 and 76.
  • the elastomeric members 152 and 154 are constructed of a material that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to substantially relate the movement of the foot support portions to the movement of the hand gripping portions, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot support portions and the hand gripping portions.
  • the members 152 and 154 may be rigid and have a torsion spring interposed between the members 152 and 154, and the forward ends 62 and 72 of the foot links 60 and 70.
  • the members 152 and 154 may be rigid and have a torsion spring interposed between the members 152 and 154, and the coupling regions 86 and 96 of the swing arms 80 and 90.
  • spring links 156 and 158 could also be used in place of elastomeric members 152 and 154 and would provide the same type of flexibly coordinated motion between the hand gripping portions 82 and 92 and the foot support portions 66 and 76 in the exercise device 150.
  • any of the above-described preferred embodiments may further contain flexibly coordinated mechanisms in the linkage between the left and right foot support portions 66 and 76 of the left and right foot links 60 and 70 that substantially relate the movement of the foot links to each other while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot links.
  • flexibly coordinating mechanisms 104 similar to those described above (e.g., such as the elastomeric torsion spring 124) may be incorporated between each foot link 60 and 70 and their respective crank arm assembly 50 and 52.
  • the flexibly coordinating mechanisms 106 e.g., such as elastomeric torsion springs
  • each coupling mechanism 50 and 52 and the transverse axle 36 may be incorporated between each coupling mechanism 50 and 52 and the transverse axle 36.
  • the flexibly coordinating mechanism may be configured as a flexibly coordinated, bifurcated transverse axle (not shown), that substantially relates the movement of the foot links to each other, while permitting some degree of uncoordinated motion between the foot links, and which replaces the transverse axle 36.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Massaging Devices (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
EP00301990A 1999-03-18 2000-03-10 Stationäres Übungsgerät für flexibel koordinierte Bewegungen Expired - Lifetime EP1036577B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/271,733 US6165107A (en) 1999-03-18 1999-03-18 Flexibly coordinated motion elliptical exerciser
US271733 1999-03-18
US09/298,349 US6277055B1 (en) 1999-03-18 1999-04-23 Flexibly coordinated stationary exercise device
US298349 1999-04-23

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1036577A2 true EP1036577A2 (de) 2000-09-20
EP1036577A3 EP1036577A3 (de) 2002-03-13
EP1036577B1 EP1036577B1 (de) 2005-12-28

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00301990A Expired - Lifetime EP1036577B1 (de) 1999-03-18 2000-03-10 Stationäres Übungsgerät für flexibel koordinierte Bewegungen

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1036577B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE314119T1 (de)
CA (1) CA2299979A1 (de)
DE (1) DE60025056T2 (de)
TW (1) TW436305B (de)

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CN114044099A (zh) * 2021-12-21 2022-02-15 广东岭南职业技术学院 一种圆周运动轨迹转化为近似椭圆运动轨迹的结构

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CN107693303A (zh) * 2017-10-19 2018-02-16 温州医科大学附属第二医院、温州医科大学附属育英儿童医院 一种坐立两用的复健椅
CN107693303B (zh) * 2017-10-19 2023-11-10 温州医科大学附属第二医院、温州医科大学附属育英儿童医院 一种坐立两用的复健椅
CN114044099A (zh) * 2021-12-21 2022-02-15 广东岭南职业技术学院 一种圆周运动轨迹转化为近似椭圆运动轨迹的结构

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TW436305B (en) 2001-05-28
ATE314119T1 (de) 2006-01-15
EP1036577A3 (de) 2002-03-13
CA2299979A1 (en) 2000-09-18
DE60025056D1 (de) 2006-02-02
DE60025056T2 (de) 2006-09-28

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